Monthly Forecast

By Maria DeSimone

Capricorn Horoscope: January 2013

Up Against the Wall

You're ready for nearly anything as the New Year begins, but your optimism can quickly fade as obstacles pile up to impede your progress. Fortunately, with the willful Sun, logical Mercury and potent Pluto all in your hardworking sign, you're prepared to meet the challenges. Mercury's powerful alignments with Pluto and Saturn on January 6 strengthen your mental fortitude.

However, red-hot Mars' conflictive square to cold Saturn on January 7 stops you in your tracks as you face a seemingly insurmountable wall of resistance. Your core beliefs may clash with those of your peers as Mars in your 2nd House of Values crosses your ruling planet, Saturn, in your 11th House of Friends and Associates.

The hard edges of your life are softened when gentle Venus enters Capricorn and your 1st House of Self on January 8. The persistent Capricorn New Moon on January 11 can be considered your true astrological New Year's Day. Its alignment with buoyant Jupiter restores your lost confidence and starts you on a new path to success.

Your thoughts turn to money matters and issues of self-worth on January 19, when Mercury and the Sun enter conceptual Aquarius and your financial 2nd House. You become more certain of your ideas on January 22-25, as Mercury and the Sun form supportive aspects with ingenious Uranus and beneficial Jupiter. But this expansive period transforms into a serious one when Mercury squares solemn Saturn on January 25, followed by the Sun-Saturn square on January 30.

Meanwhile, the melodramatic Leo Full Moon on January 26 illuminates your 8th House of Shared Resources, indicating the complexity of your current fiscal condition. Its square to hard-nosed Saturn is another not-so-gentle reminder that shortcuts aren't an option.

Keep in Mind this Month

Instead of trying to accomplish too much too fast, establish a methodical work style at the beginning of the year to improve your chances for success.

Key Dates for Capricorn

SUPER NOVA DAYS

January 6-7: True Confessions

Be careful with your words on January 6 -- once they're spoken, you cannot take them back. Perceptive Mercury hooks up with penetrating Pluto that day, which facilitates peering through the veils of illusion or simply intensifies your relentless inner chatter. Truth is palpable and secrets can be exposed. If you go too far, you could run into trouble on January 7 when combative Mars conflicts with authoritative Saturn. Unfortunately, you won't gain much by pushing harder, except maybe increasing your frustration and raising your blood pressure. Cultivate patience, and take this time to refine your craft instead of trying to swim upstream.

January 16-19: Dark Side of the Moon

You exude magnetism when sensual Venus joins passionate Pluto in your 1st House of Personality on January 16. Your newfound lust for life can revitalize a relationship, but it also can create control issues or problems stemming from possessiveness or jealousy. Thankfully, your sense of social responsibility could rescue you from your intense personal desires as Venus cooperatively sextiles conscientious Saturn in your 11th House of Teamwork on January 17. The Sun and Mercury enter futuristic Aquarius and your 2nd House of Personal Resources on January 19, clearing your mind and enabling you to focus on business for the next few weeks.